These green bean casserole bundles are the perfect side dish for your next holiday meal! They're a fresh take on the traditional green bean casserole that we all know and love. The green beans are wrapped in a strip of smoky bacon and then topped with a delicious creamy sauce made from cream of mushroom soup and topped off with crispy onions. These bundles are sure to be a hit with everyone at the table!
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While green bean casserole is a holiday classic, this recipe gives it a unique twist by bundling the beans into neat little packets. The result is an elegant yet easy-to-make side dish that is sure to impress your guests.
The creamy sauce and crispy onions provide the perfect complement to the tender beans, making this dish irresistible. Best of all, this recipe can be made ahead of time, so you can enjoy your holiday party stress-free.
So go ahead and give this green bean casserole bundles recipe a try - your taste buds will thank you!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Have you ever had one of those days where you just don't have time to cook a big dinner? Or maybe you've been invited to a potluck and you're not sure what to bring. Either way, this green bean casserole bundle recipe is perfect for you! It only takes a few minutes to prepare, and it's sure to be a hit with everyone. Here are three reasons why you'll love this recipe:
- It's easy to make. You don't need any special ingredients or equipment, and the whole thing comes together in just a few minutes.
- It's budget-friendly. This dish is very inexpensive to make, so it's great if you're on a tight budget.
- It's delicious! Even picky eaters will love the creamy mushroom sauce and the crispy fried onions on top. So go ahead and give this recipe a try - you won't be disappointed!
What You’ll Need To Make Green Bean Casserole Bundles
- Green beans: I recommend using fresh green beans for this recipe. You'll need about a pound to make six green bean casserole bundles. Feel free to scale up the recipe if you're catering for a crowd.
- Bacon: You'll need six strips of bacon to wrap around the green beans. I recommend using a good quality smoked bacon for the best flavor.
- Cream of mushroom soup: This will be the base of your sauce. You can use any brand of concentrated cream of mushroom soup, or even make your own.
- Milk: You'll need a quarter cup of milk to thin out the soup concentrate into a sauce.
- Crispy fried onions: These are a classic topping for green bean casserole, and they're what makes this dish so irresistible. You can use store-bought or homemade crispy onions.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Making green bean casserole bundles is easy! Just follow these simple steps:
Step 1: Trim the green beans and separate them into six even bundles.
Step 2: Pre-cook your bacon in the air fryer at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 5 minutes. This will help render some of the fat out of the bacon and help ensure that it gets nice and crispy once wrapped around the green beans. Your bacon should be starting to brown, but still flexible and not crispy at this point.
Step 3: Wrap a strip of the pre-cooked bacon around each green bean bundle and secure with a toothpick or position each bundle so that the end of the bacon is tucked underneath. This will help make sure that the bundles don't unravel.
Step 4: Place the bacon-wrapped green bean bundles in the air fryer and cook at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 5-6 minutes.
Step 5: While the green beans are cooking, prepare your sauce by combining the cream of mushroom soup and milk in a small saucepan. Heat over a medium heat until the sauce is warm and well combined.
Step 6: When the green beans are done cooking, remove them from the air fryer and spoon some of the sauce over each bundle. Top with crispy onions and serve immediately.
Enjoy!
Recipe Tips And Tricks
To make sure your green bean casserole bundles are as good as they can be, here are a few tips and tricks:
- Don't overcook the green beans. You want them to be cooked through, but still crisp and not mushy. This recipe will yield a crisp green bean. If you like your green beans softer, you can cook them for a few minutes longer.
- If you're using store-bought crispy onions, make sure to read the label. Some brands are fried in unhealthy oils, so choose one that is fried in a healthy oil like avocado oil.
- Don't skip pre-cooking the bacon. This may seem like an extra step, but it's worth it. Pre-cooking the bacon helps to render out some of the fat and ensures that your bacon will be nice and crispy once wrapped around the green beans.
Serving Suggestions And Substitutions
Green bean casserole bundles are the perfect side dish for any holiday meal or family dinner. They go well with roasted meats like turkey, ham, or beef.
If you're looking for a vegetarian option, you can substitute the bacon with veggie bacon or leave it out altogether. The casserole will still be delicious!
For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free crispy onions or make your own by coating sliced onions in a mixture of cornstarch and gluten-free flour before frying.
How To Store Leftovers
If you have leftovers, they can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Green bean casserole bundles can be reheated in the air fryer or oven. Simply reheat until warmed through and enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I make green bean casserole bundles ahead of time?
A: Yes! You can assemble the bundles ahead of time and store them in the fridge until you're ready to cook them. This is a great option if you're short on time.
Q: How can I make green bean casserole bundles without bacon?
A: If you're looking for a vegetarian option, you can substitute the bacon with veggie bacon or leave it out altogether. The casserole bundles will still be delicious!
Q: Are green bean casserole bundles healthy?
A: Green bean casserole bundles are a healthier alternative to traditional green bean casseroles that are loaded with cream and cheese. This recipe uses healthier ingredients like fresh green beans, mushroom soup, and milk, but it's still not considered to be a low-calorie food. Enjoy in moderation.
Q: Can I make the mushroom sauce from scratch?
A: Yes! If you'd like to make the mushroom sauce from scratch rather than using mushroom soup, simply sauté some mushrooms and onions in a pan with some butter or olive oil. Once they're cooked through, add in flour to thicken, and then slowly whisk in chicken or veggie stock and a splash of cream. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Tools And Equipment For This Recipe
GoWISE USA 7-Quart Electric Air Fryer With Dehydrator: This is a great budget-friendly air fryer. It’s large enough to cook a decent-sized batch of green bean casserole bundles.
Sweese Oval Serving Platter: This is a beautiful serving platter that can be used for many different dishes. It’s perfect for holiday meals or family dinners.
Le Creuset Saucepan: This is my go-to pan for cooking small-batch recipes over the stove. It heats evenly and the enameled surface is easy to clean. It's great for warming the mushroom sauce for green bean casserole bundles.
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Green Bean Casserole Bundles
Ingredients
- 1 pound green beans
- 6 slices smoked bacon
- ½ cup cream of mushroom soup
- ¼ cup milk
- ½ cup crispy fried onions
Instructions
- Trim the green beans and separate them into six even bundles.
- Pre-cook the bacon in the air fryer at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 5 minutes or until it's starting to brown, but still flexible and not crispy.
- Wrap a strip of the pre-cooked bacon around each green bean bundle and secure with a toothpick or position each bundle so that the end of the bacon is tucked underneath. This will help make sure that the bundles don't unravel.
- Place the bacon-wrapped green bean bundles in the air fryer and cook at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 5-6 minutes.
- While the green beans are cooking, prepare the sauce by combining the cream of mushroom soup and milk in a small saucepan. Heat over a medium heat until the sauce is warm and well combined.
- When the green beans are done cooking, remove them from the air fryer and spoon some of the sauce over each bundle. Top with crispy onions and serve immediately.
Nutrition
* Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content may vary based on brands of ingredients used, measuring methods, portion sizes, and more.
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